U2 eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour 2018

On the seventh night of the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE TOUR, writes Cathleen Falsani, the band celebrated women—mothers and daughters, (she)roes and partners and co-conspirators—who inspire and elevate their music—and are the hope of our collective future.

From early on in the 26-song show (see the complete setlist here), women were on the band's mind. 'Gabby Giffords, right in front of you!' Bono yelled during 'Beautiful Day'—a shout out to former Arizona Congresswoman and gun-control advocate Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head in an assassination attempt in 2011. Giffords, who was in the audience Tuesday night, tweeted her thanks to the singer with a video clip of the name-check.

During the nearly two-and-a-half-hour show, Bono also publicly thanked his mother, Iris; his wife, Ali; and their daughters Jordan and Eve, as well as Edge's wife (and native Los Angeleno) Morleigh Steinberg, who is an artistic collaborator of the band. Edge and Morleigh's daughter Sian is featured in videos during the concert and is one-half (with Bono and Ali's son Elijah) of the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE silhouette logo.

'Women of the world, take over. Because if you don't, the world will come to an end—and it won't take long,' Bono sang, quoting the lyrics of 'Women of the World,' the anthemic lullaby popularized by Jim O'Rourke that plays during the intermezzo before the encore.

Bono then introduced the audience to a new hashtag—#WomenOfTheWorldTakeOver—and an initiative of the ONE Campaign to grow a global movement to close the gender gap for women and girls living in poverty.

'There are 130 million girls in the world who don't go to school because they're girls. And I think we can turn that around if we concentrate and make it a priority,' he said.

'Shit happens when people get organized, especially when women get organized.
I know that much,' he said. 'My daughters remind me—all our daughters remind us—that there's a lot of problems in the world but we're not going to solve them without using our full brain power. Not just half the brain power of this planet. So that's what #PovertyIsSexist is about. It's not just a hashtag.'

ONE started the Poverty is Sexist movement to make sure the world's most vulnerable women and girls are at the heart of the fight for equality, and to pressure world leaders to break down the barriers and sexist policies that hold them back. In addition to helping those 130 million girls who are not in school get the education they deserve, ONE also is mobilizing millions of people to pressure world leaders to expand bank account access to 100 million women, and help prevent 20,000 new HIV infection in women this year worldwide.

Earlier in the day, in an appearance on The Ellen Show, Bono and Edge talked about the #WomenOfTheWorldTakeOver and the One #PovertyIsSexist campaign. (Graphics from that campaign appear on the barricage screen before and during shows on the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE TOUR.)

Ellen and her studio audience recorded a video themselves singing 'Women of the World', and the band invites fans to record themselves singing the song and post it to their favourite social media platform with the hashtag #womenoftheworldtakeover.

COMMENTS

This was such an amazing show that I think I need to go to Dublin before this tour ends. So glad Bono’s feeling better. Met incredible fans at this show and I just want to know if Randy from Agoura Hills...did you have an good time in the pit???

Lament

28 May, 2018

Another Year – Another Concert; Thirty-O

Yes, I got a chance to see U2 on Tuesday – May 15th at The Forum in Los Angeles. And as always, they did not disappoint and they left me looking forward to the next tour {I have learned to be patient}! In the meantime, I am going to do my best to cross-out two “must do items” on my bucket-list this year: 1} travel to Ireland for the first time – 2} see U2 on their home turf in November. With that said, stay tuned for my next post…..

Fly Baby

24 May, 2018

Best U2 eXPERIENCE ever

Over 20+ years in the making and I finally got the chance to meet and greet Bono before the show! Unfortunately, I didn't get much of a chance to talk to him or get a picture taken with him but I am very grateful he took the time out of his busy schedule to meet and greet with his fans before the show. To top it all off I had GA and was practically along the railing in front of the e-stage so it was like watching U2 perform in my living room...lol! Not too many people are fortunate enough to get that big of a dose of U2 in one day! Thanks U2 for putting on another excellent show! My 12th U2 concert and many more to come. Hopefully you will add an extra leg to the tour and come down to San Diego...

jcoat007

16 May, 2018

Another Great U2 Show

The show was spectacular. We were on the floor, and being close-up was incredible. I saw them at the Forum 2 Years ago and we had seats on side which was amazing. You can get a totally different show, depending on where you sit. The band really tries to give everyone in the house a great show!

RocknRollGymnast

16 May, 2018

U2 Forum May 15, 2018

Extraordinary talent and integrity on this stage!

garyquintana

16 May, 2018

Angelenos just kick Ass!

What a show, what a pounding, what a crowd! Bono had to actually shhh the crowd or tried too as he was introducing a song. Nope did not work, the fans just erupted more, Bono says "WOW!" Electrified crowd for sure. I believe The Forum shook, shook, shook. Amazing show! It's no wonder why these Irish men from the north side of Dublin love Los Angeles!

z00ropa

16 May, 2018

Amazing

What a show. Every song a masterpiece of sound a sight. This is my 10th or 11th U2 concert, it never gets old. The band plays their heart out and for a while it makes all my stress melt away.

pxydust

16 May, 2018

Once again, an amazing show!

Never ceases to amaze me, gone to another epic show at The Forum. One thing that I learned after being a fan of U2 for the past 30 years.........it's not just a show, it's an experience. No pun intended!

Angelina

16 May, 2018

Joshua Tree Tracks.

I understand that you are fed up with the Joshua Tree Album. But the fans still love it very much!!!

CeeCeeLow

12 May, 2018

Ultraviolet

baby baby baby light my way

lisaking

09 May, 2018

BRING. IT. ON...

Cannot wait! Look out LA - Angela, Daniela and Lisa will be there soon enough!

lauralj25

02 May, 2018

GA Line

I haven't done a GA line. Anyone have any advice?

usfestival83

09 December, 2017

Verified Ticket System Sucks

Enough Said.

yahweh_mx

06 December, 2017

LA Line for EITour

Flying in from Mexico to 15th and 16th concerts.
Last time on Innocence Tour had a blast, looking forward to meet you lads in the line...
Hopefully the method its the same as iNNOCENCE tour, queue in the morning, get a number, get back at 4pm to go in.

johnmicahel

16 November, 2017

There is no end

I grew up listening to U2 back in 1979 when I fist heard "11 0'clock tick tock" on the Rodney on the rock show on KROQ on his 11 pm new music hour. I was like this is a cool sound that came out around the punk-new wave era, I grew on there music and started a cover band from 1985-1987 and then a some few shows in 1994. I was the Bono of the band and my name is John and my friends would call me Johno. I've seen U2 17 times and one of my favorite gigs that still today was my favorite was "The Unforgettable Fire" at the Long Beach Arena, CA on December 16th 1984. It was an amazing show. their sound system they used was awesome. it was so loud but crisp clear. It costed me $16.50. the stage set up was easy. stage, hanging lights and speakers and seating 360 all seats filled. no pyro technic screens, Just simple.. thats how they played there gigs in the early years. They should go back to that style because there music is powerful and all that technical equipment isn't needed, The ticket prices would be much more reasonable. They always find a sound that keeps up with the decades. My 16 year old son has seen them on the 360 tour, Innocense tour, The Joshua Tree 17 tour. He loves their music and I'm glad that I can share these moments with him as I did growing up. Thank you U2 for giving us great music for all of these decades. Hope to see you soon. "There is no End to your music" forever in our hearts. Johno and John Michael

TODDU2

14 November, 2017

My U2 Top 50 Favorite Songs

1. Gloria
2. Drowning Man
3. Like A Song
4. Until The End Of The World
5. One
6. “40”
7. A Sort Of Homecoming
8. Wake Up Dead Man
9. Hands That Built America
10. Moment Of Surrender
11. In A Little While
12. Van Dieman’s Land
13. New Year’s Day
14. Pride
15. Yahweh
16. Where The Streets Have No Name
17. Sunday Bloody Sunday
18. Bad
19. Tomorrow
20. Acrobat
21. Song For Someone
22. Stranger In A Strange Land
23. Scarlet
24. Exit
25. I Will Follow
26. Walk On
27. Miracle Drug
28. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
29. Beautiful Day
30. One Step Closer
31. Three Sunrises
32. Red Hill Mining Town
33. With Or Without You
34. Grace
35. Bullet The Blue Sky
36. All I Want Is You
37. Iris
38. If God Will Send His Angels
39. Into The Heart
40. Every Breaking Wave
41. Heartland
42. Twilight
43. 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
44. Breathe
45. City of Blinding Lights
46. Staring At the Sun
47. Zoo Station
48. Where Did It Go Wrong?
49. Magnificent
50. Zooropa

summer.rain

13 November, 2017

Come to Hawaii... :)

Hey, Baked Bean Boy! Bring the boys to South Kona.

GoKwazy

13 November, 2017

Tix

Hopefully getting the tix won't be too difficult. getting the tickets for the Joshua Tree 2017 Tour was painful and then getting into the stadium was even worse.

alx69me

13 November, 2017

U2 @ The Forum, L.A. 2018

Can't wait! We will be there!
Myself, and my wife, Valerie.
Your The Best Thing About Me!!
Alex

Manatee99

11 November, 2017

Love / Hate Relationship

We've been blessed to see U2 live a few times, going back to ZooTV. It is a spiritually uplifting revival unmatched by anyone. But 2015's I+E tour tix were $312 each once the omnipresent fees were added.
So I ask this: You're an remarkable band. PLEASE strip down the technogadgets to keep the pain of seat prices to a sustainable minimum for those of us physically unable to stand through a show. You will still be the most amazing live band around.
Love and peace to you all.

adci

10 November, 2017

U2 Fan 4 ever .

Nice... Nice again you are giving me something exciting for next year , can't wait for may .....:)

B_Bere

10 November, 2017

Wear sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the U2 concert at the Forum, especially if you're camping out in the GA line - wear sunscreen and protect yourself from the relentless Los Angeles sun. It will cook you like a microwave if you're not careful.
See you in the trenches my U2 friends.
Bono photo by instagram.com/BerezowskiPhoto

NeddyOz

05 November, 2017

San Diego

Another lifelong fan in SD who was able to cross your concert off my Bucket List this past September. Dream come true. Looking forward to another experience next year and as with others, hoping you'll add a date in San Diego.
xxoo

roxievomtruehaus

03 November, 2017

Howard R

The journey began March 2, 4 and 5, 1985, at the LA Sports Arena. My friend Dave and I pulled a few all nighters painting a banner depicting the a-bomb dropped on Japan, inspired by The Unforgettable Fire. We were in the front row, and Bono took our banner (actually my friend painted it, I just kept him awake) and it was hung on the second level seats. I wish we had a photo. No iphones back then.
I was thrown off stage by Bono during the Rattle and Hum tour for bad guitar playing during People Get Ready. Bono told 70,000 fans that I went to the "wrong school of rock and roll." I only knew the chords to Knocking on Heaven's Door, which I expected to be the call-up on stage for guitar song. Couldn't master that F chord on the fly. Wrong school of rock and roll indeed.
I've seen U2 about 15 times, including the 2017 tour. Now I'm on the iNnocence list. So much for the eXperience. Kidding of course. Excited to see U2 again, 32 years later.

juan_rodrguez

03 November, 2017

U2-YOUR MUSIC IS MY SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIF

PREPARED TO TRAVEL TO L.A. TO SEE MY FAVORITE BAND FROM AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO! THANK YOU FOR EXISTING

cindy_salisbury

02 November, 2017

Starting Ticket Prices

What will be the starting prices for tickets? For the JT tour the starting price was $35 and I'm really hoping there are going to be some inexpensive seats since it's going infringe on Christmas shopping. Thanks

nestitor

02 November, 2017

U2, You're the Best Thing!!!

We flew from Lima, PerÚ2 to LA to see U2 @ The Forum!! A-MA-ZING SHOW!!!
Tons of Love!!!

LikaMarie

01 November, 2017

FANtastic

And when I go there
I go there for YOU
It's all I can do...

nativejohn

01 November, 2017

U2 E&I 2018

So looking forward to this!!!
And would love to host you guys again in San Diego!!!!

Victor Enrique

01 November, 2017

U2 LA 2018

I will be there, hopefully you will open more dates there and if you can squeeze something in San Diego even better.